Understanding the PDGA Rating System: How It Works
You might have heard your friends or other disc golfers talk about the PDGA rating system. A player’s rating is something he can share or brag about with friends, and becomes important when playing sanctioned tournaments. Understanding how disc golf ratings work can feel a bit daunting. Let’s break it down to clarify how ratings are calculated, what they represent, and how they impact your standing as a player.
What Is a PDGA Rating?
A PDGA rating is a numerical value that reflects your skill level as a disc golfer, based on your performance in sanctioned rounds. Ratings allow players to compare themselves to others, track their improvement over time, and determine which divisions they are eligible to compete in during tournaments. The higher the rating, the better the player has performed at certain events. Ratings can range from below 800 for beginners, to over 1000 for professionals.
How Are Ratings Calculated?
PDGA ratings are calculated using the ‘round rating’ from the events you’ve played. Here’s an explanation of how disc golf ratings work:
- Establishing SSA (Scratch Scoring Average)
Each course layout is assigned a Scratch Scoring Average (SSA), which represents the average score an experienced 1000-rated player would achieve under normal conditions. - Evaluating Each Round
For each round in a tournament, the scores of all players are analyzed to determine how many strokes above or below SSA their score was. - Assigning Points Per Stroke
A fixed number of points (typically 7-12) is assigned to each stroke, depending on the course and conditions. For example, on shorter courses the points won’t be as much, since scoring well on an easier course doesn’t accurately reflect the skill level of the player. Good scores on a difficult course can give player ratings a boost. - Calculating Round Ratings
Your round rating is determined by comparing your score to the SSA. If you score better than SSA, your round rating will exceed 1000; if you score worse, it will fall below 1000. Let’s say that you shoot a 48 on a course with an SSA of 50. That might earn you a 1025 round rating. But if you shot a 53 on the same course, you might end up with a 950 rating. Also remember that the performance of others are also considered, as will be explained below. - Averaging Round Ratings
Your PDGA player rating is the average of your round ratings from all events, weighted by how recent the rounds are and excluding your worst performances. The rating system follows a rolling year, so your scores drop off approximately one year after you get them.
(More information from the PDGA can be found HERE)
Factors That Impact Your Rating
Several variables influence your ratings:
- Course Difficulty
Challenging courses generally yield higher ratings for the same score compared to easier layouts. - Field Strength
As mentioned above, the ratings of other players in the tournament can impact how points are assigned per stroke, since the system adjusts based on the other players’ performance. - Weather Conditions
Adverse conditions can affect SSA calculations. Scores across the field may be higher due to wind, rain, or extreme temperatures. - Number of Rounds Played
Players with more rounds in their history tend to have more stable ratings, since a single bad performances carry less weight in the overall average.
Why Ratings Matter
PDGA ratings serve several purposes in the world of competitive disc golf:
- Division Eligibility
Most divisions are based on ratings, so players compete against others of similar skill levels. For instance:- Recreational: 850 or below
- Intermediate: 850–900
- Advanced: 900+
- Open: Any rating level
- Tracking Progress
Ratings give players a measurable way to track improvement over time, motivating them to improve their skills. - Player Comparison
Ratings create a standardized way to compare players from different regions and events, regardless of the course or tournament size. While the rating system isn’t perfect, it does give us as players some metric to compare skill to our friends and competitors.
Common Questions About Ratings
- How often are ratings updated?
PDGA ratings are typically updated on the second Tuesday of every month. Players can check their updated ratings on the PDGA website. - Can ratings go down?
Yes, poor performances can lower your average rating. However, as your history grows, individual bad rounds will have less impact, as mentioned above. - Why do some rounds not count toward my rating?
Rounds are excluded if they are significantly below your established rating or if certain conditions (like extremely small fields) prevent accurate calculations.
- Can I improve my rating quickly?
Improving your rating takes consistent performance over multiple events. The rating system doesn’t reward a fluke great round, but rather reflects consistent, good play. Playing challenging courses and competing against strong fields can help boost your rating faster.
The Bottom Line
The PDGA rating system is a valuable tool for disc golfers of all skill levels. It provides a clear, objective measure of performance, encourages growth, and helps foster fair competition. By understanding how ratings work, you can better appreciate what goes into your score and focus on improving your game to set goals and reach new milestones.
Whether you’re aiming for your first 900+ rating or pushing past the 1000 mark, the rating system is a great way to gauge your progress and celebrate your achievements on the course.
